S&w m&p 15-22

Anybody have any experience with one of these? Im slowly starting to look into an assault style rifle. But I dont want to spend the $800-1000+ on an actual AR15. Plus the ammo is cheaper on the .22 so I wont feel so much like Im just shooting away quarters and dimes! Im just gonna be using the rifle as a fun rifle, almost as a toy. If anybody has any suggestions for me, please let me know! Thanks, LT.